Shopping in Thailand can easily turn into a addiction since it’s capital Bangkok is the shopping destination that passed by shopaholics paradise Hong Kong years ago. Ten’s of giant luxurious shopping along with 24 hours markets for bargaining turned Bangkok to be the leading shopping destination in South East Asia. Another upcoming shopping destination within Thailand is Chiang Mai which night market attracts thousands of tourists a day.

Shops are open late, and each Thai city has at least one to several night market. It’s endless offers and incredibly low prices seduce visitors to buy clothing, jewelry and house decorations. Most of the prices are negotiable with the salesman, negotiation is expected from tourists at all times. There’s no set rules for negotiation yet it’s important to remain friendly and polite at all times. Even at shopping malls such as Pantip Plaza, MBK Center and Union Mall Ladprao you can discount your products, although the luxurious and giant malls like Platinum Mall, Emporium, Siam Discovery, Siam Paragon (Upscale, high class), CentralWorld (largest mall in South East Asia), Siam Center (one of the oldest malls in Bangkok), Amarin Plaza, Gaysorn, Erawan, Platinum Fashion, Central Ladprao, Esplanade have set prices.

Thai silk and cotton are known to be the best in the world, it is top priority on most of visitor shopping lists. The specialty of Thai silk and cotton which are handmade in north eastern Thailand is that the yarn is painted before being weaved which creates the wished patterns. Thai silk and cotton are available in several sizes or as handmade clothing.

Bangkok has become the international city of jewels. From all over the world jewelery is transported to this city for polishing and processing, since there are no taxes on import and export. Thailand has many places where polished jewels can be bought against appealing prices and quality. It is always important to buy jewelery from so-called ‘Jewel Fest Clubs’.

The antique shops have flourished in Thailand, but not everything is really antique. Astronomical prices are being asked, so negotiation is very important for getting an acceptable price. Thailand has also very strict rules for export of antique. The prices in Chiang Mai are lower than what is being offered in Bangkok.

In the north of Thailand and especially in Chiang Mai wood cut is an essential part of tradition. Furniture, domestic articles, decorations and souvenirs are being made of wood. Most of the shops will take care of the complete formalities to transport the wood items abroad; package, custom office, insurance and shipping.

The Thai cuisine has among the largest variety of food in the world, as well its famous for being spicy. The key to secret lies within the mixture of spices as garlic, chili, lemon grass, basil, coconut milk and ginger. The believe that every Thai dish is spicy, is false. There’s a wide selection of choices such as sour, sweet, salty or bitter.

What is a fact, as tourist of Thailand you should try at least several dishes out of Thai kitchen. You should not fear the colorful look and sharp smell of the food. Thai cooks are aware most foreigners do not wish to eat spicy and will adjust the meal. Therefore there’s no excuse for not trying. Eating from local street vendors is absolutely safe and responsible yet the best choice over a first class restaurant when trying Thai food at first. In case the meal is too spicy it’s best advised to eat sticky rice and a banana.

Each of the four regions in Thailand has it’s own specialties. Where in Central Thailand the Thai enjoy noodles and curry, in the North dry yet spicy sausages are consumed. During your travel through Thailand, Thai people will always be eating. Let it be in a spacious shopping mall, on local markets or in the big city. Food is sold on every street corner, it’s part of Thai lifestyle, it’s suggested to try several meals and enjoy the remarkable tasty dishes of Thai kitchen.

The people of Thailand celebrate life with the philosophy of ‘Sanuk’, which means ‘enjoying pleasure’. Celebrations are seldom ‘ceremonious’ and serious but always frivolous and colorful. Yearly celebrations, religious celebrations and celebrations within certain seasons are an essential part of the daily Thai culture. Thai people feast every month, as much as possible, according to a 13th century motto: ‘Who wants to be happy, should do it’.

Songkran is the celebrating of New Year and Water on the 13th April. People clean Buddha statues in festal ceremonies and young people show their respect to monks and older people by visiting them. At the end of Songkran Thai people on the street throw buckets of water at each other. Tourists are popular victims here.

Particular pleasant and cosy is the celebration Loy-Krathong that takes place around the end of October. This celebrating comes from an old tradition of believes. The rivers are wild after the monsoons between June and October and they threat the life and belongings of rice farmers. To avert floods, as well as to thank the rain that promises a good rice profit, people sacrificed goods to the gods.

The water spirits and water goddess had to be soothed. During Loy-Krathong rivers, ponds and creeks are transformed into true gardens of light. The Thai are dressed festive and come together among the banks. Crafts made of banana leaves and shaped in the form of lotus are set in the water to travel. The crafts are extensively decorated with flowers, incense, burning candles, coins, foods and personal belongings.

Other Thai celebrations and festivals

in February Makha Puja. Religious people come together at the temples for a procession of light.

in April Day of Chakri. In memory of the inauguration of the first king of the Chakri-dynasty, Rama I.

in May Visakha Buja. Most important festival of Buddhism. Thai people celebrate Buddha’s birth, relief and dying day.

in July at full moon Asanha Buja. Yearly remembrance of Buddha’s first lecture that starts the Lent of three month for monks.

October 23rd Birthday of the King Bhumibol. Thai decorate houses and temples with candles.